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My previous post,
http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1...sg-1449955.
UPDATE:
1) Our regular mech advised to continue using 20-50W. Synthetic oil would be a waste of money on already old engine. This time the standard oil should be used every 2,000 mile.
2) Took macphanatic's suggestion. Paid $45 for the 70% LLumar tint (UVA/UVB shield) instead of the Sunset brand the shop's owner recommended. Honestly, we could not tell the difference. We just took the owner's words for it. The workers got it done less than 30 minutes!
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Your oil decision makes no sense to me. First of all, what sort of car is this that calls for 20W-50 oil. That is way too high a viscosity for most modern cars and will cost you in gas mileage and perhaps make it hard to start on cold days. It could even result in less lubrication at some points if the high viscosity reduces oil flow through some parts of the engine. Use whatever viscosity is in the owner's manual.
Second of all, 2,000 miles is waaaaay too frequent an oil change interval. Even with regular oil, 5,000 to 6,000 mile change intervals are much more appropriate and are probably all that is called for in your car's maintenance schedule. You are simply throwing money down the drain. Also, it would be vastly better for your car's longevity (not to mention better gas mileage) to go with full synthetic oil at 10,000 mile change intervals. This would also be vastly cheaper than your 2,000 mile interval with regular oil. As to synthetic oil being a waste of money on an old engine, that's only true if the engine is on its last legs and you're planning on trashing it and also if you are using standard oil change intervals. If a mechanic is suggesting 2,000 mile intervals then he is ripping you off and it's time to get a new mechanic.
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Davester_ car has 400k miles. Ring wear, etc.. Higher vis. May be in order.
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Glad you go the tint done for your poor wife's condition.
That's a lot of miles on your vehicle. @ 200k - 250K I would have had the engine rebuilt, but thats just me. Die hards would go to 400k- 500k before a rebuild. 2000 mile oil changes are a rip off, only way that would be an issue is if your car is burning oil and you need to get it looked at often because you don't want to add oil.
Higher viscosity is usually recommended for vehicles that burn oil because of worn piston rings... valves..etc... Burning oil is a maintenance issue on older cars. Get quotes from local rebuild places if you want to go that route. But as mentioned here, that engine isn't built for that thicker oil. You might have other problems come up.
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If you 400k miles engine is burning oil, you have more problems to worry about (O2 sensor, fuel economy), and should replace the engine or rebuild it.
If not burning oil, your oil viscosity /oil change interval is nonsense. Davester is dead on the money. That 2000 mile interval was sensible at one time for high mileage cars having no filter (1930's-40's). Today's oils are far superior to anything of that era.
